Western Red Cedar
(Thuja plicata)

Western Red Cedar is the perfect alternative to Leylandii hedging, as it still gives you that rich green, and dense evergreen hedge, but is that ever so slightly slower at growing.

The glossy, dark green foliage of the Western Red Cedar is bolder than other types of conifers and is displayed in striking sprays. The leaves give off a sweet, pineapple-like scent when crushed between your fingers, making the Western Red Cedar that much more enticing. The plant also produces little cones, but it is most loved for its rich and dense leaves.

Thuja plicata Atrovirens, has proved to be the ideal hedge for any garden surrounded by heavy traffic, as well as country and suburban settings, due to the way it can effectively absorb pollution particles. Including this, the tall stature can make it the perfect background to any colourful and small plants, which just need an accompaniment to make them stand out from their surroundings.

Western Red Cedar can grow in both sun and shade and is flourishes best in any well-drained soil. The hedge grows at 40-60cm per year, and is still considered fast growing, however you can still cut back into old wood without the risk of it browning (which you cannot do with Leylandii), and this therefore makes it that much easier to maintain.

• Growth height: Fast (40-60cm per year)
• Ideal height: 2.5m+ Tall
• Soil Type: Normal
• Exposure: Coastal, Exposed, Inland
• Aspect: Semi-shade, Sun
• Evergreen foliage? Yes

The Western Red Cedar is rather simple to maintain, needing only a couple trims in a year- once in the Springtime and then again in early Autumn.

When should I plant Western Red Cedar hedging?

The best time to plant your Western Red Cedar hedging is any time from early spring through to early autumn, providing the ground is not frozen and the plants are given plenty of water.

How far apart do you plant Western Red Cedar plants?

Depending on how quickly you want a dense hedge, plant at 60-100cm apart. It's good to bear in mind, we recommend at least 3 per metre for smaller plants that are only 40-60cm when purchased.

How to plant your Western Red Cedar:

To get the best out of your Western Red Cedar hedging, ensure to plant during cool temperatures/weather. You will need to amend the planting area with a layer of compost, ensuring you place around a 3-inch later. Work the compost into the soil to about 12 inches down.

Dig a trench/hole that's the same depth as the root mass, but twice as wide. Set the plant into the hole, sitting it upright and straight.

For root ball plants, untie the ropes/string around the root ball covering, but do not fully remove the covering as it will decompose in the soil over the time, and helps to hold the roots together. After this, backfill the hole with soil and press down lightly to secure the plant.

Make sure the hedge is watered at least once/twice a week, depending on the warmth when planted. Newly planted plants are not able to take up water effectively for many months, making them highly vulnerable to drought stress (hence watering is so important).

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